Harding to appear on CSTV this season

The Bisons’ February 23rd home game against Henderson State will be on CSTV this year as part of a six-game D-II package, which is both a nod to the home crowd in Searcy and the quality of the opponent. This should theoretically (at least temporarily) revive the sellout atmosphere of some of the HSU blackout games from my time at Harding.

Below is the full release:

Harding Basketball to Appear on National Television

INDIANAPOLIS – NCAA Division II and CSTV have announced a six-game men’s and women’s basketball package for the 2008 season, and the Harding University Bisons are on the docket. The Harding men’s basketball game in Searcy, Ark., on Saturday, Feb. 23 against Henderson State will be broadcast live on CSTV at 11 a.m.

It will be the first Harding game ever televised nation-wide in any sport.

CSTV, a 24-hour sports network, is owned by CBS Corporation and is located in New York City. It is seen in more than 20 million homes and is available on cable systems across the country, including Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Cablevision, Charter, Insight, Bright House Networks, Mediacom, RCN, Advanced Cable and Bresnan. It is also available on DIRECTV’s Total Choice Premier Package Channel 610 and DISH Network’s America’s Top 120 Package Channel 152.

“This is a great opportunity for our program and for Harding,” said Harding head coach Jeff Morgan. “We know that the support that we receive from our student body, especially the Rhodes Rowdies, is a big reason why CSTV and the NCAA chose to air our game.”

Harding and Henderson State is a rivalry that dates back to the late 1950s when both schools were members of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. In 2000, Harding joined Henderson State in the Gulf South Conference and the rivalry became one of the most intense in NCAA II. Three of the top 10 largest crowds in GSC history witnessed Harding-Henderson State matchups.

Harding opens its 2007-08 season on Friday, Nov. 16 against Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. The Bisons’ home opener is Tuesday, Nov. 27 against Champion Baptist.